The 11 best crashes at the 11Foot8 bridge in Durham, NC, recorded by Jürgen Henn (c)
FAQ
What is the location of the 11foot8 bridge?
201 Gregson St in Durham, NC (intersection with Peabody St)
Why is the bridge so low?
This train trestle is about 100 years old. At the time when it was built, there were no standards for minimum clearance.
How often do trucks crash into the bridge?
On average, about once a month a truck gets visibly damaged at the bridge. However, every day I see trucks that trip the overheight warning lights, stop and turn into the side street.
Why don’t they fix it?
Depends on who “they” are and on what “fix” means. The North Carolina Railroad Company owns the train trestle, and their concern is primarily with keeping the trains running and keeping them running safely. So their concern is mainly with reducing the impact of the truck crashes on the actual structure of the train trestle. As far as they are concerned, they solved that problem by installing the crash beam.
The city of Durham has installed “low clearance” signs on each of the 3 blocks leading up to the trestle (Gregson is a one-way road). There is an “overheight when flashing” sign with flashing lights that are triggered by vehicles that are too tall. Several blocks ahead of the trestle the speed limit is 25 MPH. The folks from the city planning department said that they made an effort to prevent accidents.
The North Carolina Dept. of Transportation maintains the road, but not the signage. I suspect they have much bigger problems to deal with statewide than this bridge.
Is the clearance signage accurate?
The clearance signage displays a maximum safe clearance – and yes, in that sense it is accurate. The actual clearance of the crash beam right in front of the trestle is 11 feet 10.8 inches, which gives it a 2.8 inch safety margin. The MUTCD allows for a maximum of 3 inches difference between the signage and the actual clearance.
Metric, please!
Would this situation be better if the signage were metric? Well … take a look at his website: 2m40.com (Warning: French. Metric)
For the convenience of our metric-only audience, here are the measurements we’re talking about in meters:
11foot8 (11 feet 8 inches) = 3.556 meters
11 feet 10.8 inches = 3.627 meters
Safety margin: 7.1 cm (at the crest of the road)
Can’t the road be lowered?
That would be prohibitively expensive because a sewer main runs just a few feet below the road bed. That sewer main also dates back about a hundred years and, again, at the time there were no real standards for minimum clearance for railroad underpasses.
Can’t the bridge be raised?
Here, too, the question is who would want to pay the millions of dollars to raise the tracks a couple of feet? To accomplish this, the grade of the tracks would have to changed on both sides of the trestle, probably for several miles. That would require rebuilding all trestles in Durham. And NS would have to shut down this busy track for months. I don’t think they are interested in that idea.
Is the signeage inadequate?
The signeage is pretty good. Large signs alert driver to the low clearance several blocks before the bridge. Overheight vehicles trip a light switch that turns on flashing warning lights.right at the bridge.
Should there be more signeage?
It’s hard to see how more “low-clearance” signs will significantly improve the situation. But maybe a different kind of signeage would get the driver’s attention.
Could they install a low-clearance bar?
A low clearance bar is a bar suspended by chains ahead of the bridge. Overheight vehicles hit that bar first and the noise alerts the driver to to the problem. I understand that this approach has been successful in other places, but it’s not practical here. There are many overheight trucks that have to be able to drive right up to the bridge and turn onto Peabody St. in order to deliver supplies to several restaurants. Making Peabody St inaccessible from Gregson St would make the restaurant owners and the delivery drivers very unhappy.
Why are they using yellow flashing lights?
Warning lights have to be yellow according to the NC traffic laws.
Are the drivers stupid?
No idea. They certainly seem distracted and the rental truck drivers are also probably inexperienced.
Will insurance cover the damages?
Most truck rental insurance policies specifically exclude overhead damage from coverage. However, a good auto insurance or liability insurance might pick up the tab. Check with your agent. Or even better – don’t hit the bridge!

Could they not make the road a couple of feet lower under the bridge, save a lot of sorrow.

Joseph Bennett (1 day ago)

I just saw a notice from the MDOT that they are going to replace the bridge along with the other one at another intersection to put an end to the destruction to trucks. The replacements will be done in 2020.

FlatlandMando (2 days ago)

Some trucks were Way high for this 11 ft.8" bridge. Time for a little mindfulness from drivers...get in...how high am I. Twelve feet. OK. Now I watch for signs & low bridges.

speciebean (2 days ago)

Mostly rental trucks...

Richard T (2 days ago)

These drivers were all inbred muslims with shit for brains...

Snuzzle D (2 days ago)

I love how far back all the cars are driving from these trucks. They fucking KNOW those trucks aren't gonna make it and don't want to be any part of it lol

Philip Maclaren Jr. (3 days ago)

I'll bet the local police and fire have a code just for bridge hit again

BarryH1701 (1 day ago)

Police Dispatcher: Car 54, we have an 11-8. You know the routine.

Dozo (3 days ago)

Got through 3 of them before I realised it was the same bridge and now its 100x more hilarious.

Carlos . B (4 days ago)

I find it satisfying how it just rips them open

cervezadog (4 days ago)

Thanks for crashing!

Roy Coots (5 days ago)

That's a very effective can opener!

Nathan Mofield (5 days ago)

It must be a hoot working on that corner.

Brandon D (6 days ago)

Literally all rental trucks

Leonard Breau (7 days ago)

Try to explain that one to the boss..

Donald Hollums (7 days ago)

All you can do is laugh at this. Laughing at a man’s calamity is one thing, but laughing at the stupidity is quite another. I mean, sho nuff, there has to be ample warning leading up to this point before a final warning is given. The co-driver says, “Man, you ain’t gonna make that!”; the driver says, “Sure I will”! Famous last words. Can you imagine what the rates are in that town for renting a Box truck from Enterprise, Penske, Ryder, Hertz, etc?

Micheal Jones (8 days ago)

Where is this?

William (8 days ago)

Lots of dum drivers

Falcon 1 (8 days ago)

There has got to be some dash cam video from the inside of those trucks. That would be awesome

Epoch Eon (9 days ago)

Thanks for letting me drive your truck. Hey, remember when you said you wish it had a sunroof?

Nunya Business (9 days ago)

I'm in Durham all the time. Not quite sure where that bridge is.

BarryH1701 (1 day ago)

Go rent a Penske truck. The truck will find the bridge for you.

David Ganson (9 days ago)

O call 11'8",
"Can opener"!
For unique quality of height!
And why no new vids?

FukitSurfer101 (10 days ago)

I love it when the front tires lift off the ground from the impact lmao!!🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

The one named Drew (10 days ago)

That last clip was pure gold, not only did the truck driver keep fucking up but a car comes driving up in the wrong lane at 5:00. And 2 other cars decide to make a u-turn at 5:28, even though that road is clearly not made for u-turns.

jack hammer (11 days ago)

I wanna rent a truck from Penske and go there .Road Trip

alex symmes (11 days ago)

0:26 had me fooled for a second but that bus got away by a cunt hair

Rob Z. (11 days ago)

FUCK PENSKE.

Mary Wagner (11 days ago)

That is one bad ass bridge

Todd Mazerolle (11 days ago)

The can opener

Luke Rinderknecht (12 days ago)

The can opener 😂

lightning Spike Stewart (12 days ago)

Is this in Ashland Massachusetts?

Jimmy (12 days ago)

very strong construction !

Nemoz_BB6 (12 days ago)

How stupid do you have to be? It clearly says 11-8 clearance.

CaptainMarci104 (12 days ago)

Nr 1 is weak :(

Nathan Adams Cars (12 days ago)

Penske HAS to tell their lessees about this bridge lol

Robert Lee, Countertenor (12 days ago)

Unpopular comment... 30 miles an hour absolutely crushes this aluminum and people still believe planes melt into towers

Robert Lee, Countertenor (12 days ago)

Why don't they take that fucking yellow bullshit off? Then it will be 11 feet 10 or so...

Lawrence Genereux (12 days ago)

Sign should say "We Do Sunroofs".

So Lost (13 days ago)

Should be one more cam to see their faces when it happens

challenger srt (13 days ago)

Don't see the signs, and they're going full blast

Willysmb44 (13 days ago)

Most of these are rental moving trucks. I assume many of the drivers are following their GPSs as well and don't notice the flashing warning signs. But you just HAVE to wonder, do the local rental companies warn drivers about the bridge? If I worked for such a company, I'd do an inspection of the tops of each truck that comes back, just in case they had a close call under this bridge!

Daniel (13 days ago)

Just a little off the top...

Brett Symons (13 days ago)

So here is my question..... They put up and maintain cameras to stream online due to the number of crashes but can't spend that money on earlier and larger warnings?

Barbara Kinard (14 days ago)

This is what you get when you give class c people a big truck .they can't drive cars let alone 6 wheels

MAX 330 (14 days ago)

You at least one of these rental trucks customers refused paying a little extra for insurance.

Dave Farnes-Barnes (14 days ago)

Wouldn't it just be way more cost effective to.lower the road? Duh

David RIley (14 days ago)

I love how they are all moving rental trucks. Lol

1HUNDREDPROOF (14 days ago)

So much fun packed into one video

Tony Lenton (14 days ago)

What is the punishment for all these trucks hitting this bridge and cost to all the rental companies.

Topspeed350 (15 days ago)

Oh man!😆😆😆😆😆😝😝😝

Brianna Hood (15 days ago)

1:35 just clean off

enderantics (15 days ago)

ah, its the usual. trucks get opened like a tin can every other week

Buzz Nutter (16 days ago)

0:30 this guy deserved it, he ran a red light!

Jesus Alvarez (16 days ago)

What city and street is this Bridge at so I don't got to go by there

dfctomm (16 days ago)

it's always the rental trucks.

Juan Garcia (16 days ago)

11.8 The rental truck killer.

NIG VIC production (16 days ago)

The idiot in the blue car was asking to get there rear end torn off

Cliff Owens (16 days ago)

They crash the truck and just drive away. Nobody saw nuttin'

Alex Joslin (16 days ago)

Truck haircuts

tdbsnr (16 days ago)

They really should open a bar with a view on this corner. The yellow truck at 2:56 "Well at least I got under..."

tdbsnr (16 days ago)

CRASH!! And then there's those gratifying long drawn-out scraping / crunching / tinkle tinkle / clanking noise as they reverse out... and that's just their brain working out what they are going to say to their bosses & the hire company.

jungyul kim (17 days ago)

RIP bobtails SMH

JamesLetsPlay124 (17 days ago)

Is it the same bridge every time

Art Vandelay (15 days ago)

Yes. Located in Durham, North Carolina

YouTube Watcher With Pickle (17 days ago)

😂😂😂😂 yup #1 moron

YouTube Watcher With Pickle (17 days ago)

Man nice can opener

Kieran Symes (17 days ago)

Hmmm...surely somebody has developed something to warn the driver? Like a proximity thing? Gap in the market 👍

Kayla Marie Armstrong (18 days ago)

The bridge is made out of Nokia 3310 cellphones

JP (18 days ago)

I gotta admit, that's a pretty stout little bridge there. Anything that's been hit that many times and still standing? Yeah it's a strong one.

Reaper (18 days ago)

Oddly satisfying

Edward Waliczek (18 days ago)

Must be the same idiot working for different companies after losing his job in the beginning!! lol

Richard Nixon (19 days ago)

Are all these trucks about 12 ft tall

Drunken bird cosplay (19 days ago)

They should really have those signs a little farther away

Drunken bird cosplay (19 days ago)

I clicked because I use to work for the company in the thumbnail

Main Drain Studios (19 days ago)

a video of the 'best 11foot8 crashes' should really just be a video of every single 11foot8 crash. so good.

Jeff Duncan (19 days ago)

Guy drives away at 2.00 mark... Nothing to see here...

Splozy (19 days ago)

Why not just have signage banning anything other than well...cars?

roger dodger (19 days ago)

Wish cameras were on both sides, would like to see the O shit look on their face...

Josuah Duffy (19 days ago)

the amount of rent a trucks, i counted 3

tonioteach84 (20 days ago)

For some reason the sound makes it funnier 😃

Mr Golstead (20 days ago)

0:26 that bus gave me hope until the truck arrived

DIY MAN (20 days ago)

Only in America.

Bobby Lee (21 days ago)

Man that truck blatantly ignores the warning AND runs a hard red, meaning it was red for a few seconds. He could have killed someone

walter kersting (21 days ago)

Man, that’s one tough bridge. I imagine people give directions to guys they don’t like to take them that way.

Washington.A. Santiago (21 days ago)

Dumb and dumber🤔?!, does it ever happen whe the train passes by ?, looks like a trian tracks bridge ,, ,They cant raise the bridge,so why not lowering the road ,,you may get a little flood on rainy days but good drainage will fix that, , ps that has to be the strongest rail bridge in the world, can you add Benny Hill music on the background, ,thanks,😂😂😂😂

Cole (21 days ago)

Should the bridge be raised? Fuck no. Lower it.

David Hopkins (22 days ago)

Most powerful can opener ever! This video was so satisfying. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Victor Burk (22 days ago)

Truck driver to rental company (or boss): "It seem I was involved in a little scrape. Nothing a bit of bondo and a magic marker can't fix you know!"What a bunch of stupid a$$es. With the flashing warning light and red light they still think they can make it. I think they should take these down so we have more entertainment.

Frost (22 days ago)

A lot of those moving trucks would have made it had the government clearance at not been so low..

Juan Acosta (23 days ago)

3:30 truck: Soooo how was your day going for ya?
car: good. do you need a job?
truck : yep

5. LuckeyWaiver (23 days ago)

A lot of box trucks got wiped out and carved.

onebladeprop (23 days ago)

the local enterprise needs to lower their trucks about 3"

power20841 (23 days ago)

2:56 camera shakes due to impact even though it's far away from crash

power20841 (23 days ago)

Thank you Penske !! :D

Wolf Gaming1010 (24 days ago)

I wonder if the city gets tired of repairing the bridge.

True North (24 days ago)

No thanks. Already have that nightmare.

James Rogers (25 days ago)

It'll be 11'6" next time they re pave.

James Rogers (25 days ago)

Cab and chassis for sale. Mint condition.

xEmeraldCityx (25 days ago)

Amazing that some of them even make it all the way through. Must be part of the 11' 8.25" club.
In the last one... The drivers attempting to drive around the truck WHILE it is backing up are also a special kind of stupid. Especially the one trying for a tight u-turn. Like, really? That was your BEST plan of action?